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Down in the Delta
 
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Down in the Delta (1998)

Starring: Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman Jr. Director: Maya Angelou Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Format: DVD
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
Price: $9.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Frequently Bought Together

Down in the Delta + Eve's Bayou + Lackawanna Blues
Total List Price: $25.95
Price For All Three: $23.96

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  • This item: Down in the Delta DVD ~ Alfre Woodard

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  • Eve's Bayou DVD ~ Jurnee Smollett

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  • Lackawanna Blues DVD ~ S. Epatha Merkerson

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Down in the Delta
83% buy the item featured on this page:
Down in the Delta 4.7 out of 5 stars (37)
$9.99
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Product Details

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This family drama begins in a gritty Chicago neighborhood with a jobless, hopeless mother (Alfre Woodard) pouring her efforts into the bottle and various drugs rather than her troubled daughter and wise-beyond-his-years son. But the movie soon heads south, as the title suggests, when Mom and kids are sent to live with an uncle for the summer. Their lives change, of course, but that's the only predictable aspect of this 107-minute film. First-time director Maya Angelou brings her poetic sense to Myron Goble's elegant script, and the performances are uniformly excellent, most notably the always superb Woodard, Al Freeman Jr. as her uncle, and Mary Alice as her mother. Wesley Snipes takes a break from his action career to do some acting as Freeman's son, and the late Esther Rolle is haunting in the last portrayal of her career. The film's touch of mystery is provided by one of its most devastating characters, a candelabra called Nathan. Rated PG-13, but suitable for ages 8 and older. --Kimberly Heinrichs


Product Description

DOWN IN THE DELTA brings together an outstanding cast of stars in an uplifting story of family, community, and friendship! In a desperate attempt to change her life, Loretta (Alfre Woodard -- STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT, MUMFORD) -- a troubled single mother from a tough Chicago neighborhood -- is sent to spend a summer in her family's ancestral home in rural Mississippi. In "The Delta," with the support and widsom of her hardworking Uncle Earl, Loretta finally begins to see a way to provide for her young children and reverse the downward slide of her life. A heartwarming, critically acclaimed motion picture also starring Wesley Snipes (BLADE, U.S. MARSHALS) and Loretta Devine (WAITING TO EXHALE) -- share in this remarkable journey to discover the strength of a family's roots and the power of unconditional love!

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Customer Reviews

37 Reviews
5 star:
 (30)
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 (5)
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2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (37 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars All THat and More, April 17, 2000
By thesavvybamalady "swblkdiamond" (Prichard, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews
  
I wasn't able to see this film initially due to me moving back south, but the minute I saw it on video, I rented it, the minute I saw it on sale, I bought it and don't regret it. I am not surprised that this film is not up there as one of the best family films ever made. Here you have a movie made by one of the most talented and versatile women in this country, a cast of some of the best black actors around, and when the movie comes out,it gets little notice. Go figure. When I first saw this movie, I fell in love with it. The fact that this guy took the very object that his father was sold for and it stayed in that family from generation to generation. Beautiful. I think that the movie should be viewed in schools,churches,wherever you have an audience.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars First-Rate Drama, October 18, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Down in the Delta [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Once again, Alfre Woodard shows us why she's one of the top American actresses. I do not understand why she isn't in more big-budget films. Just remember, this is the actress that lit up the stage twenty years ago in Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide. . . ."

Down in the Delta is a splendid film, rich in character development, themes, and filmmaking. Angelou is to be applauded.

We need more films like this!

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A well-acted family story, March 30, 2003
"Down in the Delta," directed by Maya Angelou, tells the story of Loretta (played by Alfre Woodard), a single mother who lives in Chicago and faces economic hardships. She and her kids move to the family's rural ancestral home to live with her uncle (Al Freeman, Jr.). This change of setting has a profound impact on the family.

Those familiar with Angelou's fine books will probably see similar themes explored in this film. Solid performances are turned in by the excellent ensemble cast. I was especially impressed by Mpho Koaho as Loretta's young son. And veteran performer Esther Rolle turns in particularly moving performance as Loretta's Alzheimer's-afflicted aunt.

This film does a good job of exploring a variety of interconnected relationships in this multigenerational context. The film celebrates family ties and family tradition, as well as one's capacity to overcome adversity.

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 		 Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Down In The Delta Will Lift You Up!
I can relate to this film today as much as I did when I first saw it in the theater with my daughter (Christmas 1998). Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ms Memphis

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a Must See!!!
I am very please with the level of service and delivery time. The video quality is great
Published 7 months ago by Hope M. Stout

5.0 out of 5 stars This movie is very, very emotional
I watched this movie on cable because the theater run was very short, as usual for many serious black films. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Creative Spiritual Voice

5.0 out of 5 stars Great family movie
A realistic portrait of how families can overcome troubles. I loved watching it with my kids. I am a big fan of Ms. Alfre Woodard.
Published 18 months ago by Sherry D. Mayberry

5.0 out of 5 stars Down In The Delta
I have watched this movie over and over. It is one if my favorites. So uplifting! Every actor in this show is awesome. I love this movie!
Published 18 months ago by Deborah A. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Movie
How realistic and provocative. Very moving story and great actors. I am glad I chose this movie as it was very entertaining.
Published 22 months ago by Jennette Perkins

5.0 out of 5 stars "Down in the Delta"
This film is both heartfelt and funny. Maya Angelou had directed the movie in a straight forward style (no need for camera tricks or flashy embellishments here) and as such... Read more
Published on October 27, 2007 by Richard Rosenberg

5.0 out of 5 stars Down in the Delta will Lift your Spirit
I think this film should be required viewing in every school across our nation. Without realizing it, the viewer is slowing given a very personal lesson in slavery and its impact... Read more
Published on November 9, 2006 by Frederick Ascher

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and calm movie
This is the movie that oughta keep you calm and warm up your heart. PG-13? Just for drug related material? Read more
Published on March 31, 2006 by Vinny

5.0 out of 5 stars So inspiring!
This movie shares the real meaning of family and the values that have long since been lost. One of my all time favorite movies!
Published on February 25, 2006 by Star Child

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